Postdoc Engaged Buddhism

We are seeking a committed and engaged postdoctoral scholarship in Engaged Buddhism with skills in qualitative and archival research to work on the PRISM Temple Religion Trust-funded project: “Peace and Action: Beneficial Ripple Effects of Public Mysticism in Society”.

This collaborative project will examine to what extent and via which events and movements mysticism has promoted, aimed at and facilitated peacebuilding via Christianity and Buddhism in the contemporary era. The project will involve empirical work, examining the potential of mysticism to create a platform for interreligious dialogue. We will build an inclusive critical realist model mysticism, viewing Buddhist mysticism as Nirvana understood as ‘a way of seeing and being in the world rather than transcending it’ (interbeing) (Orzech).

Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities and Duties

• conduct archival and empirical research into the beneficial effects of public mysticism in Buddhism in Europe in the contemporary era.
• contribute to developing and pitching a new critical realist theoretical model of mysticism and its ripple effect in terms of peacebuilding.
• co-organize a workshop on mysticism and peace (comparative: Buddhism and Christianity)
• develop and conduct a questionnaire survey of networks and communities to map public mysticism and peacebuilding in Christianity and Buddhism from the 19^th century to the present in Europe.
• co-host an online public event to share findings with wider audience.
• co-author academic and public-facing articles.
• oversee of the project weblog.
• assist in ongoing research projects in the PThU, and in the activities of the Sources research group, and in the University of Antwerp, and in the activities of the Ruusbroec Institute research group.
• help coordinate project proposals in the field of theology and history of religion and contribute to attracting external funding.
• participate in the provision of academic services: you will represent the research groups both internally and externally, help to coordinate service projects, etc. 

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• A PhD in Buddhist studies, preferably with an expertise in the contemporary era and Engaged Buddhism (or you will have obtained it by the time you start work).
• Act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• Speak and write fluently in English.
• Excellent communication skills, both technical and public facing
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent organisational skills
• Ability to produce work of suitable quality for publication in peer-reviewed outputs
• Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, Experience and qualifications

• You can express yourself in Dutch and other languages.
• Previous experience with empirical research (interviews, participant observation, qualitative analysis methods, and archival research…).
• Previous experience of data-management tools e.g. Nvivo.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to new events, workshops, and research practices
• Experience running or organising events
• Extensive IT skills (Microsoft office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Experience working with non-academic communities or volunteers and/or University ethics procedures.

Working for the Protestant Theological University and the University of Antwerp

About the PThU

The PThU (Protestant Theological University) was created in 2007 when three existing universities merged into one. The members of the Supervisory Board are appointed by the synod of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands. In this way, the PThU knows itself connected to the Church. We use our theological knowledge and experience to inspire and renew the church, science and society. We feel compelled by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the mission God has with Israel and the nations. We are nourished by our Protestant roots. And that is the theology we stand for.

Our education is in line with students' needs. Theological formation concerns the whole person. Our education has an integral character. We strengthen the cohesion between theory and practice and ensure a seamless transition from study to the professional workfield or scientific research.

We do excellent research that there is a need for. Our theological research is internationally highly qualified. Central in our research are the questions posed to us by church, academy and society. In our research we work with universities, scientific institutes and churches at home and abroad.

Our theology is valuable to others. We are experts in our field and are glad to make our knowledge and experience available. As a university, we're not here for ourselves. Our Knowledge Center brings supply and demand together in an inspiring way, for those who want to deepen and enrich themselves theologically.

To inspire and renew church, academy and society, we are guided by four core values. Our theology is deeply rooted, broadly oriented, sharp-minded and rich in spirituality. Our mission is attainable if we have an inclusive and diverse organisational culture with attention for everyone's qualities and with opportunities to develop them further.

Find out more about working the PThU.

About the Ruusbroec Institute

The Ruusbroec Institute was founded in 1925. It is an interdisciplinary research centre for the academic study of the history of spirituality in the Low Countries, integreated into the Antwerp University. It has built a leading international reputation in the study of mysticism, devotional literature and the publication of critical editions.

Drawing mainly on textual sources, we employ research perspectives pertaining to the disciplines of philology, history and religious studies. We focus on the history of spirituality of the premodern era, while also studying the cross-temporal transmission and reception of religious texts as well as the continuation of religious ideas and practices into (post)modern times. In the course of its 90-year old history, the Institute has built up a special expertise in the edition and study of mystical texts, and in the historical study of devotional book culture. Since 1927 the Institute has published the international peer-reviewed journal Ons Geestelijk Erf - Journal for the History of Spirituality in the Low Countries.

The Institute has a bountiful library that hosts an unequalled collection of secondary sources on the history of Christian mysticism and devotion, as well as a unique collection of primary sources that testify to the religious culture of the Low Countries, such as prayer books and devotional prints. The Ruusbroec Library is a member of the Flemish Heritage Library and participates in programmes that make heritage available to the wider public through digitization and exhibitions.

The academic staff of the institute are active in education and teach courses in the Departments of History and of Literature at the University of Antwerp. Yearly, we organize academic conferences, lectures and workshops, often in cooperation with other academic institutions. We are active in the service to a wider public by giving lectures at various cultural organizations and by providing our expertise.

The Institute was established in 1925 as an independent Jesuit foundation to preserve, research and further develop the material and immaterial heritage testifying to the religious culture of the Low Countries. In 1973 it was incorporated in UFSIA (Universitaire Faculteiten Sint-Ignatius Antwerpen) and was subsequently integrated into the University of Antwerp in 2003.

About the University of Antwerp

The University of Antwerp is a young, dynamic and forward-thinking university with a strong mission and vision. It occupies a special place within the university landscape in Flanders, and it integrates the assets of its historical roots with its ambition to contribute positively to society.

• Mission and vision: Let’s define the future! This slogan is what drives UAntwerp to bring about positive change and take on challenges within society.
• Core tasks: The university performs its core tasks in a way that does justice to its position as a leading academic institution in Belgium and beyond.
• Lines of strength: In its teaching, research and services, UAntwerp follows a resolute course, guided by a number of distinctive lines of strength

Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp.

What we offer

• A full-time appointment as a postdoctoral scholarship for a period of 2 years.
• The planned start is November 2025 or as soon as possible.
• In the first year, you will be employed by the PThU and you will be based in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Therefore we require that you live in the Netherlands. The Collective Labour Agreement of the Universities of the Netherlands applies. Your monthly scholarship amount depends on your experience as researcher and is calculated according to scale 10 or 11 of this CLA.
• The second year you will be based in Antwerp and are being employed by Antwerp University.
• Your monthly scholarship amount then is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for postdoctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP). 

How to apply

You can apply for this vacancy online.

Complete the online application form by Monday, November 3rd. Be sure to include the following attachments: 

• a motivation letter
• your academic CV
• a one-page outline of how you would approach the project

The system only accepts two uploads. Please combine the outline and motivational letter into one document but label each clearly. 

Online/Hybrid Interviews are being planned for November 11th.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the job, please contact Prof dr. Louise Nelstrop, Professor of Church History, lanelstrop@pthu.nl.

The Protestant Theological University is connected with the Protestant Church in the Netherlands (PKN). We ask applicants that they respect the Christian values and identity of the University.